As early childhood education progresses rapidly in China, Family Box recently opened its sixth branch in Qingdao.

Crossboundaries’ design for the two-level 4,400 sqm facility offers
the enterprise’s usual functions such as a children swimming pool,
classrooms, open play areas and a cafe. Situated at the corner of a
shopping mall, Family Box opens to the public with a transition zone,
holding functions such as library, shop and try-out classes for
potential customers and directs its member to the pool and member-only
areas.

When children and their tutors enter, a limited palette filters out
the overwhelming stimuli from the shopping mall. The three main colors –
yellow, blue and green– represent the city of Qingdao and each
indicates a special design feature, making it more recognizable for
children. Crossboundaries designed the floors and stairs to be yellow,
while created multi-functional smart spaces in blue and transformed
conventional walls into green cutout smart volumes in respond to Family
Box’s request for more areas to its program than available space.

While closed, rooms and play areas function independently for classes
or group activities but can also open up with movable walls, for
instance,i ntegrating with the library for large group storytelling, or
converting into a stage where an audience can watch a small performance
from the step seats. The central staircase can be transformed into a
theatre without compromising the function of the vertical circulation;
part of the steps function as seating and a projection screen can be
lowered across the hall.

Breaking away from a traditional educational layout that restricts
playing and learning to designated play areas and closed classroom
respectively, the widely spread smart volumes in the facility are filled
with a variety of elements to engage children with playing and
learning. Some of these volumes feature slides, climbing zones,
soft-upholstered seating, bookshelves and other functional elements,
which allow children and guardians to lounge with a book or play
wherever they like.

Smart volumes are scaled for children to climb, crawl and walk. Some
allow them to explore with adults together, in others children could go
alone, occasionally connect with their guardians through small square
window openings. This stems from the design concept to not only take
care of children’s need but also that of their Chinese tutors: to be
close to the family’s single-child. Instead of a separated waiting zone,
the design invites adults into the space by offering additional seating
stairs around the elevated rooms and in the green smart volumes whilst
not participating in the activities. Through the glass walls, guardians
also remain visual connected with what’s happening with their children
inside the rooms.